Two ways to grow onions on a feather on a windowsill in winter

"Onion from seven ailments" - this phrase must have heard every person. Knowing how to grow green onions on a windowsill, you can provide households with a healthy product that is so necessary in winter. Green feathers are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytoncides that can ward off colds. A home onion bed is a tempting idea.

Forcing methods

It is very easy to get a rich harvest of greenery in winter. There are two main techniques for forcing a feather:

• forcing onions in the substrate - involves planting the bulbs in the ground;
• forcing onions in water - the bottom of the onion head is placed in a container with water.

Indoor gardening enthusiasts have improved their methods by thinking of cultivating onions in plastic bottles and special hydroponic installations.

Advice

Get your toddler involved in green cultivation. Such an interesting activity will delight, and the harvested crop will become a source of pride for the crumbs.

Planting material

Vegetable crops are propagated by seed and vegetative methods. On the windowsill, stinging sprouts are obtained using various planting materials:

• seeds (nigella);
• sowing of a large fraction (samples);
• small onion heads with a diameter of 4 cm.

Since seedlings are usually grown from seeds and the process takes a long time, black onions are rarely used to obtain green onions. Onion sets are ideal for forcing in the substrate. Sevka bulbs are less susceptible to spoilage, and greens can be removed along with the root crop.

Small onions can be distilled in any way. With proper care, the green onion crop is produced for about two months, after which the bulb depletes and dies.

Rules for the selection and preliminary preparation of planting material:

• select heads of the same size;
• when using turnips, it is better to take material with small seedlings;
• wash the bulbs with warm water;
• remove the top layer of integumentary scales;
• conduct a thorough examination of the onions for damage, areas of decay, pest activity;
• if there are no sprouts on the turnips, cut off 1.5 cm of the crown;
• soak the planting material in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate;
• place a container with bulbs for a day in a dark corner near the heater.

Such treatment will awaken the bulbs, activate growth. A solution of potassium permanganate will destroy pathogens and extend the useful life of the planting material.

Forcing in the substrate

To harvest healthy greens using this method, you will need:

• prepared planting material;
• container for planting;
• suitable substrate;
• drainage.

Industrial enterprises cultivate greens in greenhouses with special equipment. Such a greenhouse is equipped with ridges, lighting, irrigation systems, and heating. The task of the indoor gardener is to recreate favorable conditions for the cultivation of green onions.

You don't have to worry about heating, because the batteries are on in winter. It is important to maintain a temperature background of 15-18 ⁰C for the normal development of greenery. You don't have to worry about a room-scale irrigation system either.

As for the selection of a container for planting a crop, here the gardener has relative freedom of choice. Onions on a feather can be grown in any container:

• a flower pot of a suitable size;
• plastic box for seedlings;
• a cut-off bottom from a plastic bottle;
• "Tetra pake" for food products - milk, juice, sour cream.

Be sure to make drainage holes to drain fluid, normal respiration of the roots. The height of the pots must be at least 10 cm.

Purchased soil, which includes vermicompost, is suitable for cultivation. You can use a sandy substrate for succulents. A mixture of fertile garden soil and sand is also suitable.

Advice

To prevent the development of pathogenic microorganisms, pour the garden soil with a hot solution of potassium permanganate or steam it.

Lack of light in winter adversely affects the quality of the product. To prevent feathers from growing too thin, they resort to additional lighting. Use a special phytolamp or cold glow illuminators (fluorescent, diode).

How to plant onions?

Instructions for planting onions and sets:

1. pour drainage into the bottom of the pot with a layer of 3 cm;
2. cover the drainage with a layer of soil, not reaching the edge of the container 3-4 cm;
3. moisten the ground with warm water;
4. set the onions tightly to each other with their bottom on the substrate layer. Planting material should not be pressed in, as this will slow down the growth of roots;
5. add the required amount of soil - two-thirds of the head should be above the surface of the substrate;
6. when planting the seed of the bulb, deepen it by 2 cm;
7. water the garden bed.

Take your time to put the bow on the window. The heads need to take root in order to cast feathers. Let the pot stand in a dark, warm place for several days. When green sprouts appear, it's time to move the pots under the lamp, and lower the temperature to 15-18 ⁰C.

Room garden care

The first crop of green onions can be harvested 2-3 weeks after sprouting. During this time, the shoots will stretch 15-20 cm.

Caring for a room bed does not take much time.

• Water the soil every 3-4 days, trying to avoid getting water on the heads.
• Supplement the onions so that the daylight hours are at least 15-16 hours.
• Remember that feathers feed on juicy scales, so they don't need feeding.
• Spraying occasionally will make the green onions juicier.
• Cut off the outermost feathers first, otherwise the forcing of new foliage will stop.

To make a vertical bed, use a 3-5 liter plastic bottle. Cut off the top of the bottle. Cut out circles in the sides of such a diameter that a third of the head sticks out of them when planting. Cut the holes in tiers at a distance of 4-5 cm from each other.

For planting, fill in the drainage, and on top of it - a layer of soil. The soil should reach the bottom edge of the tier from the circles. Arrange the onions in a circle with the tops of the heads in the holes. Fill in a layer of substrate up to the edge of the next layer. Fill the container layer by layer. This design will save space on the windowsill.

Advice

To get a real conveyor, form a new bed every week and a half.

Distillation in water

To grow feathers in this way, it is enough to place the prepared planting material with its bottom in water. Do not completely dip the entire head, otherwise it will certainly rot from excess moisture.

Suitable containers for distillation:

• Plastic container;
• jars for baby food;
• glass beaker.

Use only settled water, and the addition of an activated carbon tablet will help to avoid damage to the liquid. Growing and harvesting rules apply to this forcing method as well. Only instead of watering the liquid level should be replenished.

Advice

If the onion falls through, cut a circle out of cardboard with a hole for the bottom, place it on the neck of the container.

A home hydroponic plant can help prevent liquid deterioration and oxygenate the roots. It can be built using a plastic egg container.

1. Divide the container into two halves.
2. Cut holes the size of the onion base at the bottom of the container.
3. Place the turnips in the egg trays.
4. Fill the top of the container with water.
5. Using wooden skewers, place the pieces on top of each other.
6. Insert the hose from the aquarium compressor into a container with water.

Turn on the compressor periodically, add water if necessary.

Whichever method you choose to get a green feather on the windowsill, we wish you a rich harvest!